SNAP applications increased 27 percent from a year ago, from 140,473 applications in June 2009 to 178,415 in June 2010, the release said. This is part of a national trend. For the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the USDA projects that number will reach 43 million in 2011.

In Illinois, a family of three could receive $526 in monthly benefits, depending on their income and expenses. The average in Illinois is $296 a month.